While I see what you are saying RLSH in needing every sale, its the ability to be effective and effecient in the process. Get this on Toyota vs GM. While GM continues to sell more cars, they do so with many more dealerships. Sure Toyota is feeling the pinch right now and wont take over the number one slot from GM, but they still are better at selling than GM.

As of Aug 1st:
GM maintained 6,776 Dealers and had sold 1,822,575 vehicles, or about 269 /dealer
Toyota maintained 1,234 dealers and had sold 1,437,509 vehicles, or about 1,165/dealer

So while GM/Ford/Chryler need every sale, building, marketing , and selling high quality vehicles has to be done more effectively by the three.